As the Iowa caucuses draw near, Republican presidential candidates are intensifying their campaign efforts in the Hawkeye state. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris is delivering speeches in South Carolina, a crucial state for President Joe Biden's primary campaign in 2020. President Biden is scheduled to speak at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston on Monday.
The Biden-Harris campaign is using the upcoming anniversary of January 6th to emphasize the importance of this election and the preservation of democracy. Vice President Harris addressed the violence and chaos that unfolded when insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol last year. Her speech follows an impassioned address by President Biden near Valley Forge in Pennsylvania, where he underscored the stakes of this election.
President Biden and his advisors believe that January 6th and the issue of democracy serve as significant reminders for voters. In his speech, the president subtly addressed former President Donald Trump, something he has avoided throughout his campaign. Biden highlighted the contrast between his campaign's focus on America's future and Trump's preoccupation with the past.
The president's change in tone indicates his willingness to engage directly with Trump, whom he sees as his likely opponent in the general election. This shift will likely continue in the coming weeks. On Monday, Biden will address the congregation at Mother Emanuel Church, the site of a tragic mass shooting in 2015 that claimed the lives of nine black worshippers. He is expected to denounce political violence in the country during his speech.
The Biden campaign regards these recent events as the opening salvo of the campaign, intending to keep the memory of January 6th alive in voters' minds as they head to the ballot box in November.
Aside from the campaign trail, President Biden has a packed schedule. House Speaker Mike Johnson has invited him to deliver the State of the Union address on March 7th, an invitation that Biden has accepted. The president's team is already contemplating the content of the address, which will likely provide an opportunity for him to reflect on the state of the nation, outline his goals for the upcoming year, and potentially present his vision for a second term.
As Biden prepares for his State of the Union address, Congress is grappling with government funding and border security negotiations. The administration remains focused on reaching a resolution as President Biden looks forward to addressing Congress in early March.
